Aquarium with adjustable lighting

ABSTRACT

An aquarium having an adjustable lighting system for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such as fluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium under various external lighting conditions, such as a dark room or a brightly lit room. The aquarium comprises a tank and a plurality of light sources. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength spectrum which is selected to enhance the display of the fluorescent object under each type of external lighting condition. An electronic control is provided to control the operation of the plurality of light sources such that each light source may be selectively turned on/off based on the external lighting condition, or chronological criteria, to provide the best viewing experience.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to aquariums and moreparticularly to aquariums having adjustable lighting systems, forexample, for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such asfluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Aquariums are typically comprised of a tank which can be filled withwater, a system for maintaining the condition of the water (e.g. filter,aeration pump, heater), and ornamental features such as plants, gravel,rocks and curios. The tank may be of any shape such as rectangular tanksor round bowls, and the sides of the tank are typically transparent. Theaquarium may also be provided with a lighting system.

Various fish tank lighting systems have been previously shown anddescribed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,836,765 and 5,089,940 describelighting systems comprising a cover and a lighting fixture housed in thecover. The cover is configured to rest on the top of an aquarium tank.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,613, by Gong et al. (which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety), discloses many different types oftransgenic fluorescent fish and various methods of producing such fish.For instance, zebra fish transfected with green fluorescent protein(GFP) genes isolated from a jelly fish (Aqueoria Victoria) are describedin detail. In addition, numerous modified mutants of GFP are disclosed,for example, various colors and mammalian optimized mutants aredescribed. Fluorescence is the emission of light resulting from theabsorption of excitation light. For example, GFP has a maximumexcitation at a wavelength of 395 nm and emits green fluorescence at awavelength (maximum) of 508 nm. The transgenic ornamental fish describedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,613 (which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety) are genetically engineered by introducing genes into thefish which express fluorescent proteins. By positioning the fluorescentgene under the control of a specific promoter, the fluorescent proteingenes may be used to express the fluorescent proteins in specifictissues, such as in skin tissue, muscle tissue or bone tissue. Gong etal. disclose fish containing numerous different fluorescent proteins,including green fluorescent protein (GFP), enhanced green fluorescentprotein (eGFP), yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), enhanced yellowfluorescent protein (eYFP), blue fluorescent protein (BFP), enhancedblue fluorescent protein (eBFP), cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) andenhanced cyan fluorescent protein (eCFP). There are also various colorsof coral fluorescent proteins (available from Clontech, Inc.) which aresuitable for creating transgenic ornamental fish. A summary offluorescent protein genes is available on Table 1.

An aquarium for displaying fluorescent fish is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/627,176, filed Jul. 25, 2003, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

All patents and patent applications referenced in this application arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aquarium and aquarium kit of the present invention is directed toenhancing the display of fluorescent ornamental plants, animals or otheranimate or inanimate objects (“fluorescent objects”) contained withinthe aquarium, such as wild-type fluorescent fish and transgenicfluorescent fish, under various ambient lighting conditions. Theaquarium comprises a tank for containing a volume of water, at least twodifferent light sources, and at least one control for controlling theoperation of the light sources.

A first light source of the aquarium is configured to emit light at afirst wavelength which enhances the display of the fluorescent objectsunder dark external lighting conditions. For instance, in a dimly lit ordark room, such as at night, the ambient light within the tank will belit very little from the external light, and most of the light withinthe tank will emanate from the aquarium's light source(s). Under darkexternal lighting conditions, the display of the fluorescent objectswill be enhanced by a first light source which causes the fluorescentobjects to fluoresce, but which otherwise creates minimal visibleambient light within the tank. As an example, a black light emitsultra-violet light which is mostly outside the visible spectrum, butwhich causes many fluorescent materials to fluoresce. The result is thatthe fluorescent objects stand out brightly amidst the mostly darkambient visible light within the tank, thereby enhancing the display ofthe fluorescent objects.

The aquarium further comprises a second light source configured to emitlight at a second wavelength which enhances the display of thefluorescent objects under bright external lighting conditions. Indaylight, or in a brightly lit room, the external lighting will createsignificant light within the tank. Accordingly, the ambient light withinthe tank will be relatively bright regardless whether the aquarium lightsource(s) provide any light within the tank. Thus, the amount of visiblelight provided within the tank by the aquarium light sources is mostlyinsignificant, as compared to the light created by the bright externallighting condition. In this situation, the display of the fluorescentobjects is best enhanced by maximizing the intensity of the fluorescentexcitation light source. Since a black light has a relatively lowintensity (because most of the visible light is filtered out), a bluelight or even a white light best enhances the display of the fluorescentobjects under bright external lighting conditions.

In another aspect of the present invention, a viewing ratio is definedas the ratio of the intensity of the visible fluorescent light emittedby the fluorescent objects to the intensity of the visible ambient lightwithin the tank. Thus, in another feature of the present invention, thefirst light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelengthspectrum selected to obtain a viewing ratio under a dark externallighting condition of at least 75% of the highest possible viewing ratiofor any achievable wavelength spectrum (also defined herein as the“percentage of the maximum viewing ratio”). For example, a laser lightsource emitting at the maximum excitation wavelength of the fluorescentobject and which emits substantially no visible light, would provide forthe highest possible viewing ratio. Similarly, the second light sourcemay be configured to emit light at a second wavelength spectrum selectedto obtain a viewing ratio of at least 75% of the maximum viewing ratiounder a bright external lighting condition. Alternatively, the first andsecond light sources may provide for a viewing ratio of at least 50%, orat least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum viewing ratio for therespective external lighting condition.

The control for the light sources may a simple on/off switch for eachlight source, or one multi-positional switch that controls all lightsources. Alternatively, the control may comprise a light sensor and thecontrol may be configured to automatically, selectively control thelight sources based at least in part on the lighting condition sensed bythe light sensor. Another alternative would be to control the lightingsource(s) through use of a timer, which would be set based on clock time(i.e. relative time), or a pre-determined number of hours for anyparticular setting. For example, without limitation a black light maystay on for exactly four hours, at which time a white light may come on,or a black light may stay on from 8 pm until 6 am, at which point awhite light might come on. It should be understood that a timing devicemay control any light source(s) in a similar fashion.

In another feature of the present invention, the light source(s) maycomprise an array of lights, such as an array of LED (light emittingdiode) lights. Each array may be configured to primarily emit light of acertain desired wavelength spectrum. For example, one array of LEDs mayemit blue light, while another array of LEDs emits ultraviolet light.

The ornamental fish may be a transgenic fish comprising one or morechimeric fluorescence genes which expresses one or more fluorescentproteins at a level sufficient such that the fish fluoresces uponexposure to the excitation light source.

In addition, the aquarium kit may comprise an ornamental fish whichexpresses one or more fluorescent protein genes at a level sufficientsuch that said fish fluoresces upon exposure to the excitation lightsource. The ornamental transgenic fish may comprise one or morefluorescent protein genes, including for example, without limitation,the following genes: GFP, eGFP, BFP, eBFP, YFP, eYFP, CFP, eCFP, reefcoral fluorescent protein (“RCFP”), or any of the genes that code forexpression of the fluorescent proteins listed in Table 1. It should beunderstood that each foregoing abbreviation identifies a fluorescentprotein gene, which encodes a fluorescent protein. For example, “GFP” isused to identify the Green Fluorescent Protein Gene, which encodes greenfluorescent protein. The fish may also comprise bio-luminescent proteinssuch as luciferase, where such bio-luminescent proteins would cause thefish to bio-luminesce. The ornamental transgenic fish may be any varietyof aquatic animal, including without limitation, zebrafish, medaka,goldfish, carp, koi, tilapia, glassfish, catfish, angel fish, discus,eel, tetra, goby, gourami, guppy, Xiphosphorus, hatchet fish, Mollyfish, or pangasius. The kit may also comprise a fluorescent ornamentalorganism other than a fish, for example, including without limitation,fluorescent frogs, crabs, and shrimp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an aquarium kit in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a chart of the excitation spectra and emission spectra forvarious fluorescent protein genes.

FIG. 3 is an aquarium kit in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein isnot intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner,simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments of the invention.Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novelfeatures, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions hereindescribed.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aquarium 10 according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is shown. The aquarium 10 isspecially designed with adjustable lighting in order to enhance thedisplay of fluorescent objects contained within the aquarium. Thefluorescent objects may be fluorescent plants or fluorescent animalssuch as fluorescent fish, or fluorescent frogs.

The aquarium 10 comprises a tank 12, a water conditioning system 14, acover 16 and a base 27. The water conditioning system 14 comprises anaeration pump 21 which is connected to a filter/diffuser 25 by an airline tube 23. The aquarium 10 is assembled by placing thefilter/diffuser into the tank and affixing it to the side of the tank.The cover 16 is then placed onto the top of the tank 12 with the airline tube 23 extending through a slot 31 in the cover 16. The base 27has a storage drawer 39 for storing fish food and other supplies, suchas water conditioner.

The cover 16 has appropriately sized opening which allows the light todirectly hit the water without being reflected by the cover. A lightingmodule 19 is attached to the aquarium 10 using a bracket 35 whichattaches to the aquarium base 27. The housing 33 may be designed tocover all or just a portion of the open top of the tank 12. Although thelighting module 19 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown mounted to thebase 27 through a bracket 35, it is contemplated that the lightingmodule 19 may be attached to any part of the tank 12, including thewalls of the tank 12, the top edge of the tank 12, the cover 16, or eveninside the tank 12 as part of a curio 22 (see FIG. 3; for example, atranslucent or transparent rock with an excitation light inside).

The lighting module 19 comprises three light sources, namely a firstlight source 32, a second light source 34, and a third light source 36.It is to be understood that any number of multiple light sources may beutilized, including four, five, six or more light sources. Each lightsource 32, 34, 36 comprises a circular array of eight LED lights, witheach array located at a different radius of the lighting module 19. Thefirst light source 32 is located at the outer radius, the second lightsource 34 is in the middle, and the third light source 36 is in theinner radius. Each light source 32, 34, 36 is operably connected to anelectronic control 38. The electronic control 38 comprises threeswitches 41 for controlling each of the three light sources 32, 34, 36.

The electronic control 38 may be as simple as an on/off toggle switchfor each light source as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the electroniccontrol 38 may comprise a single multi-position switch (such as arotating switch) such that each position of the switch turns on/offdifferent light sources. For example, a first position of the toggleswitch may turn on the first light source 32, but turn off both thesecond and third light sources 34, 36. In a second position, the toggleswitch may turn off the first light source 32, turn on the second lightsource 34, and turn off the third light source 36, and so on. The toggleswitch may also be configured to turn on any one of the light sources,or any combination of two or more of the light sources.

In another feature of the present invention, the electronic control 38may comprise a light sensor (not shown). The light sensor is configuredto detect the intensity of the external lighting conditions, forexample, a dark external lighting condition, a moderate externallighting condition or a bright external lighting condition. Theelectronic control 38 may then comprise an electronic circuit andcomponents, as would be understood by one of skill in the art, toautomatically, selectively control the light sources 32, 34, 36 based onthe external lighting condition detected by the light sensor to enhancethe display of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10, as describedin further detail below. For example, the electronic control 38 maycomprise a processor or other logic control, which receives an inputsignal from the light sensor, such as a voltage or current. The voltageor current can be related to the light intensity sensed by the lightsensor. Based on this input, the control 38 selectively controls thelight sources 32, 34, 36.

In another feature of the present invention, the electronic control 38may comprise a timer that allows for the light source(s) to be turned onand off based on pre-determined chronological settings. For example,without limitation, a black light may stay on for exactly four hours, atwhich time the white light may come on, or a black light may stay onfrom 8 pm until 6 am (setting based on relative time), at which point awhite light might come on. It should be understood that a timing devicemay control any light source(s) in a similar fashion.

The first, second and third light sources 32, 24, 36 are specificallyconfigured to emit light at wavelength spectra selected to enhance thedisplay of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10 under variousexternal lighting conditions. Fluorescent materials fluoresce uponexposure to excitation light over a range (spectrum) of excitationwavelengths and similarly emit light over a spectrum of wavelengths. Theexcitation spectra and emission spectra for various fluorescent proteinsare shown in FIG. 2. Table 1 below lists the maximum excitation andemission wavelengths for various fluorescent proteins.

TABLE 1 Maximum Excitation and Emission Wavelengths for FluorescentProteins (“FP”) FP Excitation max (nm) Emission max (nm) AmCyan1 458 489ZsGreen1 493 505 ZsYellow1 529 539 DsRed2 563 582 DsRed-Express 557 579AsRed2 576 592 HcRed1 588 618 mPlum 590 649 mCherry 587 610 tdTomato 554581 mStrawberry 574 596 J-Red 584 610 DsRed-monomer 556 586 mOrange 548562 mKO 548 559 MCitrine 516 529 Venus 515 528 Ypet 517 530 EYFP 514 527Emerald 487 509 EGFP 488 507 CyPet 435 477 mCFPm 433 475 Cerulean 433475 T-Sapphire 399 511

Referring to Table 1 and FIG. 2, it can be seen that DsRed2 has amaximum excitation at a wavelength of 563 nm. This means that anexcitation light that emits a high intensity of light at 563 nm willoptimally cause this particular fluorescent protein to fluoresce.Therefore, because the wavelength at which DsRed2 has a maximumexcitation is also in the visible range of light, the excitation lightwill be visible as well as the emitted fluorescent light therebyreducing the relative brightness of the emitted light. Generally, thiswill not be optimal for viewing these fluorescent fish, particularlyunder dark external lighting conditions. A chart of visible light isshown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Chart of Colors of Visible Light Colors of Visible LightWAVELENGTH (nm) PERCEIVED COLOR ~410 Violet ~440 Blue ~500 Green ~580Yellow ~650 Red

External light conditions can be quantified in terms of the light levelor “illuminance” surrounding the aquarium. Illumenance is typicallymeasured in foot candles (ftcd, fc) or lux in the metric SI system. Afoot candle is actually one lumen of light density per square foot, onelux is one lumen per square meter. Some common, approximate, lightlevels for various indoor and outdoor conditions are listed in Table 3below:

TABLE 3 Common Light Levels - Indoors and Outdoors ConditionIllumination (lux) Full Daylight 10,000 Overcast Day 1000 LightedHome >150 Lighted Office 500 Dark Indoor Room <50 Moderately Lit Room100-150

With these concepts in mind, each of the lights sources 32, 34, 36 maybe configured to emit light at a desired wavelength spectra selected toenhance the display of fluorescent objects within the aquarium 10 undervarious external lighting conditions. For example, the three lightsources may be configured to enhance the display under the followingthree external lighting conditions: (a) a dark external lightingcondition (defined herein to mean less than 50 lux); (b) a moderateexternal lighting condition (defined herein to mean 50-200 lux); or (c)a bright external lighting condition (defined herein to mean greaterthan 200 lux). This may entail configuring each light source 32, 34, 36to individually be lighted for a particular lighting condition, or acombination of two or more of the light sources 32, 34, 36 for aparticular lighting condition. An example of dark external lightingcondition would be a dimly lit or dark room, such as at night. Anexample of a moderate external lighting condition would include a roomhaving enough functional light to read or watch TV, but less thandaylight, and an example of a bright external lighting condition wouldbe a room brightly lit from daylight or other light sources.

For instance, the lighting module 19 may be configured to use only thefirst light source 32 under dark external lighting conditions, only thesecond light source 34 under moderate external lighting conditions, andonly the third light source 36 under bright external lightingconditions. In this example then, the first light source 32 isconfigured to emit light at a first wavelength spectrum (with a maximumpeak emission wavelength different from the maximum peak emissionwavelengths of both the second and third wavelength spectra) whichcauses the fluorescent object within the aquarium 10 to fluorescebrightly, but which otherwise creates minimal visible ambient lightwithin the tank 12. A light which emits an excitation wavelength of thefluorescent material, but that is mostly out of the visible spectrumultraviolet light is a proper choice. The first light source 32 may be ablack light which emits mostly ultra-violet light which is mostlyoutside the visible spectrum, but which also will cause many fluorescentmaterials to fluoresce. For purposes of this application, theultra-violet range is defined as light having a wavelength shorter than410 nm. In the terms of the viewing ratio as defined above, the firstlight source 32 is configured to emit light at a first wavelengthspectrum which obtains a viewing ratio under a dark external lightingcondition of at least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.

Continuing with this example, with a moderate external lightingcondition in mind, the second light source 34 is configured to emitlight at a second wavelength spectrum (with a maximum peak emissionwavelength different from the maximum peak emission wavelengths of boththe first and third wavelength spectra) which causes the fluorescentobject within the aquarium 10 to fluoresce brightly, and it is lessimportant whether it otherwise creates visible ambient light within thetank 12. Thus, the second light source 34 may have a higher intensitynear an excitation wavelength peak for the fluorescent object, even ifthat peak is in the visible range. An appropriate choice for the secondlight source 34 may be a light which emits mostly blue light, a higherintensity light in the excitation wavelength range of many fluorescentmaterials. As used herein, the blue light range is considered to belight having a wavelength of about 460 nm-480 nm. In the terms of theviewing ratio, the second light source 34 is configured to emit light ata second wavelength spectrum which obtains a viewing ratio under amoderate external lighting condition of at least 75%, or at least 50%,or at least 40%, or at least 25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.

Finally, with a bright external lighting condition in mind, the thirdlight source 36 is configured to emit light at a third wavelengthspectrum (with a maximum peak emission wavelength different from themaximum peak emission wavelength of both the first and second wavelengthspectra) which causes the fluorescent object within the aquarium 10 tofluoresce brightly, and it is even less important whether it otherwisecreates visible ambient light within the tank 12. The third light source34 must have a high intensity at or near an excitation wavelength peakfor the fluorescent object, even if that peak is in the visible range.Because it is mostly unimportant whether the third light source 36 emitsvisible light (because there is already bright ambient light), a lightwith a very high intensity at or near an excitation wavelength peak isrequired. An appropriate choice for the third light source 36 may be alight which emits mostly white light. In terms of the viewing ratio, thethird light source 34 is configured to emit light at a third wavelengthspectrum which obtains a viewing ratio under a bright external lightingcondition of at least 75%, or at least 50%, or at least 40%, or at least25%, of the maximum viewing ratio.

The operation of the light sources 32, 34, 36 is controlled by theelectronic control 38, as described above. In this specific example, thecontrol 38 is configured with three individual toggle switches 44 toturn on/off each individual light source 32, 34 or 36, while the otherlight sources are left off. If a light sensor and automatic electroniccontrol 38 are utilized, the control 38 turns on one of the three lightsources 32, 34, or 36 depending on the external lighting conditiondetected by the light sensor.

The appropriate configuration of the light sources 32, 34, 36 may bechosen by knowing the excitation and emission spectrum of the particularfluorescent object(s) to be displayed in the aquarium 10, the particularexternal lighting condition, and by making reference to the visiblelight spectrum.

The light sources 32, 34, 36 may be any suitable type of light source,including without limitation, LED, incandescent light, fluorescentlight, laser, xenon lamps, or a combination thereof. The lights mayinclude filters in order to modify the wavelength spectra of the lightsource. Moreover, the light sources 32, 34 36, may be an array ofindividual lights, such as the arrays as shown in FIG. 1. The control 38may be activated in any number of ways, including a manual switch, apush-button toggle, an infra-red remote, a radio frequency remote, aninternal or external motion sensor, or a chemical or thermal activator.The control 38 may also cause to the light sources 32, 34, 36 to operatein a variety of modes such as fading and transition modes, timer modesor light sensing modes.

In order to enhance the appearance of the transgenic fluorescent fish,the aquarium 10 may further comprise light filters in or on the tank toblock light outside the wavelength of the emission spectra of theparticular fluorescent proteins in the transgenic fluorescent fish. Theappearance of the fluorescent fish could also be enhanced using mirrors,one-way films, wavelength specific or polarizing films, specially angledwalls of the tank or the use of special materials within the tank suchas reflective mica rocks or such.

The tank 12 may have physical separators to maintain certain fish indifferent areas of the tank 12 that are lit by the different lightsources 26.

Turning to FIG. 3, an aquarium kit 50 may comprise the aquarium 10described above, in addition to various ornamental features such asgravel 18, plants 20 and curios 22. The gravel 18, plants 20 and curios22 may also be fluorescent to augment the appearance of the aquarium kit50. For example, the plants 20 may be transgenic or other specialtyplants which are fluorescent. The curios 22 can be small items such as aminiature treasure chest, marbles, artificial or actual marine objectslike coral, rocks or sticks.

The aquarium kit 50 may also include the transgenic fluorescentornamental fish 40 as shown in FIG. 3. Transgenic fluorescent ornamentalfish and the method of producing them are described in detail in U.S.Pat. No. 7,135,613 (which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety), and therefore only a general description will be includedherein. Generally, a transgenic fluorescent ornamental fish is producedby inserting a foreign gene which codes for a fluorescent protein intothe genome of the host fish. Typically, the fluorescent gene isoperatively linked to either an endogenous or exogenous promoter in thefish such that activation of the promoter causes expression of thefluorescent protein coded by the fluorescent gene. A chimericfluorescent gene construct comprises a promoter operatively linked to aheterologous gene. For example, a chimeric fluorescent gene constructcan comprise a promoter of a zebrafish operatively linked to a GFP geneor other fluorescent protein gene.

A stable transgenic ornamental fish line may be obtained by producing anornamental transgenic fish comprising one or more chimeric fluorescencegenes positioned under the control of a promoter such that the fishexpresses one or more fluorescent proteins encoded by the fluorescencegenes at a level sufficient that the fish fluoresces upon exposure to anexcitation light source. The transgenic fish is then bred with a secondfish to obtain offspring. Finally, a stable transgenic fish line thatexpresses the fluorescent proteins is selected from the offspring. Thestable transgenic fish line may then be used to breed large numbers ofornamental fluorescent transgenic fish.

1. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent object under an externallighting condition, comprising: a tank; a first light source configuredto emit light at a first wavelength spectrum having a first maximum peakemission wavelength which enhances the display of said fluorescentobject within said tank under a dark external lighting condition; asecond light source configured to emit light at a second wavelengthspectrum having a second maximum peak emission wavelength different fromsaid first maximum peak emission wavelength which enhances the displayof said fluorescent object within said tank under a bright externallighting condition; and at least one electronic control for controllingthe operation of said first and second light sources such that the firstand second light sources may be selectively turned on/off.
 2. Theaquarium of claim 1, wherein said electronic control is configured toautomatically control said first and second light sources based on saidexternal lighting condition.
 3. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein saidelectronic controller further comprises a light sensor for detectingsaid external lighting condition and said electronic controlautomatically controls said first and second light sources based atleast in part on a reading from said light sensor.
 4. The aquarium ofclaim 1, further comprising a third light source configured to emitlight at a third wavelength spectrum having a maximum peak emissionwavelength different from said first and second maximum peak emissionwavelengths which enhances the display of said fluorescent object withinsaid tank under a moderate external lighting condition, said third lightsource operably coupled to said electronic control.
 5. The aquarium ofclaim 1, wherein said first and second light sources are each an arrayof LEDs.
 6. The aquarium of claim 1, wherein said electronic controlleris configured for selectively turning on/off said first and second lightsources independently of the other.
 7. The aquarium of claim 1, whereinsaid electronic controller is set based on pre-determined chronologicalparameters, including both absolute time and relative time.
 8. Theaquarium of claim 1, further comprising a transgenic, fluorescentornamental fish.
 9. The aquarium of claim 1, further comprising one ormore of gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, orfood.
 10. An aquarium for displaying a fluorescent object under anexternal lighting condition, comprising: a tank; a plurality of lightsources of different wavelengths, said light sources configured to allowfor certain of said plurality of light sources to be activated forselection of a lighting combination which creates a viewing ratio of atleast 75% of a maximum viewing ratio under at least two ambient lightingconditions, including a bright external lighting condition and a darkexternal lighting condition; and at least one electronic controller forcontrolling the operation of said light sources such that the optimallighting combination may be selected.
 11. The aquarium of claim 10,wherein said electronic control is configured to automatically controlsaid plurality of light sources based on said external lightingcondition.
 12. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electroniccontroller further comprises a light sensor for detecting said externallighting condition and said electronic control automatically controlssaid plurality of light sources based at least in part on a reading fromsaid light sensor.
 13. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein each lightsource of said plurality of light sources comprises an array of LEDs.14. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electronic controller isconfigured for selectively turning on/off each light source of saidplurality of light sources independently of the other light sources. 15.The aquarium of claim 10, further comprising a transgenic, fluorescentornamental fish.
 16. The aquarium of claim 10, further comprising one ormore of gravel, water conditioner, plants, filter, aeration system, orfood.
 17. The aquarium of claim 10, wherein said electronic controlleris set based on pre-determined chronological parameters, including bothabsolute time and relative time.
 18. An aquarium for displaying afluorescent object under an external lighting condition, comprising: atank; a first array of LED lights configured to emit light having amaximum peak emission wavelength in the ultra-violet range; a secondarray of LED lights configured to emit light having a maximum peakemission wavelength in the blue range; a third array of LED lightsconfigured to emit mostly white light; and at least one electroniccontrol for controlling the operation of said first, second and thirdarrays such that said first, second and third arrays may be selectivelyturned on/off.
 19. The aquarium of claim 18, wherein said electroniccontrol is configured to automatically control said first, second, andthird arrays based on said external lighting condition.
 20. The aquariumof claim 18, wherein said electronic controller further comprises alight sensor for detecting said external lighting condition and saidelectronic control automatically controls said first, second and thirdarrays based at least in part on a reading from said light sensor. 21.The aquarium of claim 18, wherein said electronic controller isconfigured for selectively turning on/off said first, second and thirdarrays independently of each other.
 22. The aquarium of claim 18,further comprising a transgenic, fluorescent ornamental fish.
 23. Theaquarium of claim 16, further comprising one or more of gravel, waterconditioner, plants, aeration system, filter, or food.
 24. The aquariumof claim 18, wherein said electronic controller is set based onpre-determined chronological parameters, including both absolute timeand relative time.
 25. An aquarium kit adapted to be assembled fordisplaying a fluorescent object under an external lighting condition,comprising: a tank; a plurality of light sources of differentwavelengths, said light sources configured to allow for certain of saidplurality of light sources to be activated for selection of a lightingcombination which creates a viewing ratio of at least 75% of a maximumviewing ratio under at least two ambient lighting conditions, includinga bright external lighting condition and a dark external lightingcondition; and at least one electronic controller for controlling theoperation of said light sources such that the optimal lightingcombination may be selected.
 26. The aquarium kit of claim 25, whereinsaid electronic control is configured to automatically control saidfirst and second light sources based on said external lightingcondition.
 27. The aquarium kit of claim 25, wherein said electroniccontroller further comprises a light sensor for detecting said externallighting condition and said electronic control automatically controlssaid first and second light sources based at least in part on a readingfrom said light sensor.
 28. The aquarium kit of claim 25, wherein saidfirst and second light sources are each an array of LEDs.
 29. Theaquarium kit of claim 25, wherein said electronic controller isconfigured for selectively turning on/off said first and second lightsources independently of the other.
 30. The aquarium kit of claim 25,wherein said fluorescent object is a transgenic, fluorescent ornamentalfish, and said aquarium kit further comprises a transgenic, fluorescentornamental fish.
 31. The aquarium kit of claim 22, further comprisingone or more of gravel, water conditioner, plants, aeration system,filter, or food.
 32. The aquarium of claim 25, wherein said electroniccontroller is set based on pre-determined chronological parameters,including both absolute time and relative time.